What Your Bag-Carrying Style Is Secretly Communicating

How do you normally carry your bag? In your hand? Tucked under your arm? You may think this is a silly question, but it's actually quite relevant. While the style of bag or designer you choose speaks volumes about your personality, so does the actual way you're holding it. To prove it, we tapped body language expert Susan Constantine to spill on what your bag-carrying style says about you.

Keep scrolling to find where you fall in the spectrum, and go just a bit further to shop some of our favorite bags of the moment.

What you're communicating: "You're guarded and distant. Bracing your hand over your forearm wards off intruders. You feel safer with ample distance between yourself and others by creating a barrier to avoid getting personal. Grabbing the bag completely is like holding a pillow to soothe internal emotional conflict or even feelings of paranoia."

What you're communicating: "You're concealing. Holding the clutch under the arm is like hiding something in a secret place where no one can find it. Holding it close and guarded says, I’m not letting anyone in on this deep secret, not even my best friend."

What you're communicating: "You're willing to let anyone in, including strangers on the street. If you display designer labels, it shows that you want everyone to know your business. There are no secrets here. Whatever is on your mind will openly tell all."